A day for 7-a-side football

Today, and July 7th annually is 7-a-side football day ソサイチの日 (Sosaichi no hi) in Japan. Sosaichi ソサイチ is the Japanese term for Football 7 or 7-a-side football. It comes from the Portuguese for 'society' as the game was started in Brazil. It is a modified version of soccer that bridges the gap between traditional 11-a-side football and 5-a-side futsal. 

The Japan Football 7 Society Association, headquartered in Tokyo, created this anniversary. The date was chosen because the sport involves two teams of seven members; making 7/7 a perfect numerical match. The goal of the anniversary is simply to promote Football 7 in Japan and help more people discover the fun and accessibility of this South American‑born sport.

This year, with the World Cup capturing global attention, Football 7 Day feels especially timely. It’s a reminder that soccer’s joy isn’t limited to the biggest stadiums - it thrives in smaller teams, local courts, and the simple thrill of playing together.